Single Handed Mooring Up And Casting Off Practice

[@starfishsystems]

You're well on the way to mastering a real challenge there. I think that single handing a larger boat is especially tricky because you can't properly see what's happening at the other end. This must be especially wicked in an unfamiliar port. Of course it becomes easier with practice, but some of that practice involves working out the appropriate methodology. A couple of comments have mentioned midships cleats. I fully endorse this. • If you can get a single breast line ashore to a cleat, it will take the way entirely off the boat going forward or astern. In a tight space, that could be critical. • In some situations, you may be obliged to step off the boat when coming alongside a dock, for example if there is a rail rather than a cleat. The closest point of approach will be midships, and if your boat has a bit of sheer it might not be too much of a jump. It may feel vulnerable to leave the boat, but if you carry a breast line ashore, you can immediately secure the boat, so really the risk is minimal. • A breast line will hold the boat against the dock until you can secure the ends. The ends will tend to swing meanwhile, so fenders are especially important when using a breast line, but they can be set up well ahead of time. • A single breast line may exert enough force to spring either the bow or stern away from the dock. That can be handy when you're not certain in advance which end to spring out. In adverse conditions, a bit of intelligent line handling can make the difference between success and disaster. Each case will be have its own geometry, but the simplest example is probably one almost like yours in which you have to pivot in a tight space off the end of a finger. A breast line looped to the finger end would provide the fulcrum for that pivot while preventing the boat from drifting off. Your actual situation discourages this because of that neighboring 46 foot vessel, but maybe if you're concerned about the wind blowing you off it might turn out to be the best option. I'll also offer a technical correction, if I may. You're using the word "momentum" when I think you mean "thrust." Propellers develop thrust, which gets things moving. Momentum is what KEEPS things moving, and obviously it's a very important and distinct concept in ship handling. It is a term that you'll often be using, so it's worth getting clear about in your own mind. The equation for momentum is simply: p = m v It's just mass times velocity. A heavier boat has more momentum at a given speed than a lighter boat. And it has more momentum at higher speed. It's what we mean by a boat carrying way. Interestingly, the equation for kinetic energy is closely related: E = 1/2 m v^2 If you're familiar with differential calculus, momentum is the first derivative of kinetic energy with respect to velocity. If you're not, just notice that momentum increases linearly with velocity whereas energy increases as the square of velocity. Either way, don't use your body as a fender!

[@dazzk9635]

Hi I use midships to leave the pontoon with a quick release knot controlled from the helm... with this I can move the Bow in or out to get me in the correct position to leave using forward or reverse . I pull hard on the knot to release & away I go..... I guess your prop walk is to port? One thing that might help is when coming back to berth, maybe pass your row of pontoons & pass a little more towards the lifting bridge or kayak centre. come in stern first & turn into your channel & you'll have the advantage to come into your berth using your propwalk. I also use the stern line first 90% of the time & then forward to pin her. I'm going to start using the midships as first line from cockpit on to winch & pull on winch to take slack up. Once midships is on She isn't going anywhere. Cardiff garage isn't that bad. the most important thing is preparation of all lines & NEVER NEVER Rush. You'll have the SW on your port nose I guess, I'd tend to go right out of your berth if wind is on your port once as I've found it hard to fight the propwalk & wind on my port nose & in tight situation... But Hay that's just me... & maybe I'm wrong about your wind direction... Enjoy. If I see you on the CBYC pontoon I'll say Hi

[@wizurd77]

Really good to see how to leave and enter your mooring. It always looks tricky to me single handed doing this so its good to see a true to life example. Also thanks for doing this in the cold weather! Cardiff bay looks nice from the water as well.

[@serenitycoastUK]

I'm envious of the American youtube channels, blue water, sandy beaches.....bikini babes. Cruising around the Bahamas.....maybe one day :-)

[@wizurd77]

​@@serenitycoastUKcan always dream. Yeah they do have some really nice places to sail over there, not like the Bristol channel

[@wizurd77]

​@@serenitycoastUKI forgot to ask as well, I just realised there is a Cardiff yacht club and a Cardiff bay yacht club. I'm looking to get some experience with yachts, even just helping out with cleaning or stuff like that, can you recommend either of these clubs as I'm not sure of the difference between them really.

[@jasonchamberlin1532]

My preference is a short line from the midships cleat - On your home pontoon this can be the right length to get your stern close without touching - drop it over the cleat as you pass - even over the far cleat at the end of the pontoon if required - keep backing up and it will come tight before you hit the walkway with the transom. stay in astern Then you can handle the stern line and will have two lines on, engine still in astern . grab the bow line and sort out and bob's your uncle

[@serenitycoastUK]

I did originally try from mid ship and there is a sailing youtuber @patricklaine he is very good at explaining things I have leant a lot watching his channel. It's where I seen the dock stick on his channel. I find with midship I tend to pivot outwards. Hopefully I will get chance to take the boat out again soon and practice some more and give it another go. It does mean lots of climbing from the mid to the helm/control. Thanks for liking the video, taking the time to leave a comment and welcome if you subscribed. I do a mixture of content fixing things, outdoor/camping that type of stuff. hopefully as time goes by I can spend more time at the boat and get out there!

[@gokhanozertan]

Thank you for the video. Ivar Dedekam's book Illustrated Seamanship page 56 explains how to leave the dock in your case (which is exactly my case but I get help from the marina's dinghy, they push me on the starboard side during the maneuver). However, this looks like a two-person operation. I cannot attach a picture, so I am describing it: 1) Rig a bow spring on the port side, 2) Leave the berth on the port side, paying out on the spring, 3) When clear of the pontoon (around 45 degrees) on the port side, the spring is fastened, 4) When you clear the berth (at 90 degrees) let go of the spring and take it quickly onboard. Hope this helps

[@serenitycoastUK]

I'll see if I can find a diagram on google. I think I know what you mean. When I had the rigging done I did need to spring off as it was super windy! I had help from someone, they are very experience and have now sailed from the UK to Italy I'm very jealous but you can't measure your beginning with someone's else's middle. Thanks for liking the video if you did, welcome if you subscribed. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and let me know what you would like to see/know.

[@jasonchamberlin1532]

Which way does your prop walk in ahead / astern ? on my previous boat i would get about 30 degrees of turn to port in astern before i got steerage on in astern - That was great if turning with bow to port and stern to port as i could spin in own length but was a nightmare the other way.

[@seanchapman4031]

Good day sir! just keep doing you , no need to explain! i also have a van for van life. will be getting boat this year. we can have boat cooking channels side by side haha. for now...ill just spectate. its motivating

[@serenitycoastUK]

I made the same chicken the other day but instead of nandos sauce I used Katsu Curry. Was amazing! Had it with rice definitely recommend it. I was aiming to go car camping this week but currently snowing! Thanks for watching :-) hope you enjoyed

[@SailingYachtOdyssee]

All I can suggest mate is, where you turned around over the quays, Try turning around the other way, which then when in astern the prop walk aids the turn rather than you trying to overcome it, That’s the way Russ does it too 👌🏻 But you certainly need to have more faith in your ability, than you give yourself credit for 👍🏻

[@serenitycoastUK]

I'll keep practising!

[@SailingYachtOdyssee]

you get what I mean though mate yeah? Using prop walk in your favour will help you a lot 👌🏻 Especially turning out of your berth like in this clip, You’ll be able to spin her on the spot just using forward and astern 👍🏻

[@MrSimonious]

Nicely done

[@serenitycoastUK]

Thanks, it's tricky to practice when your trying not to damage other peoples property. I'm not too concerned about my boat as it's the kevlar energized hull so a blend of fiber glass and Kevlar. So very strong. I rammed it into a wall on the entrance of a marina. We had motor sailed for 3 days with no trouble, as the wind and waves where pushing us into the entrance of the harbor. The engine cut out! It came on just enough to throw it in reverse for a few seconds. Then we hit the wall, from there it luckily came on for a short time just enough to get us in where we then entered a slip at a 45* angle! Don't worry we made it to the pub before it closed. it was a clogged fuel filter. I do use marine 16 a diesel bug treatment and keep the tank full. I have cleaned and made a "fuel polisher " Although I'm not very good I have sailed somewhat mainly with other people and covered around 2500 miles. if you would like to know anything else feel free to leave a comment. Thank you if you liked the video, welcome if you subscribed and have a great day!